Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the answers to some questions that prospective students often ask us. We hope you’ll find them useful. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to e-mail us: info@studyabroadpoland.com

CAN I EARN COLLEGE CREDIT?

Most colleges and universities allow you to transfer credit from courses taken abroad. Before applying it’s important to speak with the study abroad adviser at your home institution to obtain pre-approval for your courses and determine how many credits you’ll receive. Every educational institution has different policies about transferring credit, so we encourage you to follow your institution’s regulations. Usually the number of credits that you receive depends on the number of teaching hours. Following the American system, we suggest awarding 1 semester credit for every 15 hours of class time or 1 quarter credit for every 10 hours of class time.

After completing the program we’ll send your registrar or study abroad adviser an official transcript with the course titles, course hours, and grades. Your university will need this transcript to transfer credit.

The cost of the program is always the same regardless of whether or not you take the courses for credit.

CAN I USE MY FINANCIAL AID TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAM?

It is possible to transfer your financial aid to pay for some or all of the program costs. The first step is to check with your home institution’s financial aid adviser before applying. Since every home institution has different rules, only your adviser can tell you what kind of aid you can transfer. Study Abroad Poland is happy to provide you with a certificate of enrollment or any other documents that your university might require.

It is possible to apply for private student loan funding through Wells Fargo Bank. Please contact us for more details.

DO I HAVE TO SPEAK POLISH?

No. For all programs, Polish is not a pre-requisite. All elective courses are taught in English. You are strongly encouraged to take a Polish language class as part of the program to facilitate cultural immersion.

If you speak Polish fluently, it might be possible to take regular courses taught in Polish at the university. Please contact us for more details.

DO I NEED A PASSPORT?

Yes. All US and Canadian citizens need passports to travel to Poland. If you don’t have a passport yet, you should apply for one as soon as possible because the application process could take a long time. Here are some useful websites:

If you already have a passport, you should check to make sure it is valid at least 6 months after the program ends.

DO I NEED A VISA?

Semester students need to obtain a student visa before departure. The application process is easy, and we’ll provide you with the necessary documents along with specific instructions for applying for a visa in your pre-departure mailings.

Most summer students don’t need a visa. American and Canadian students can travel to Poland for up to 90 days without a visa. Since visa rules frequently change, it is important to check with the Polish Embassy in your home country after being accepted to a program.

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?

All dates are listed on the Program pages of the website. Please remember that you should generally depart the US or Canada ONE day before the program start date because the flights are overnight. For example, if your program starts on September 26, then you should plan to depart the US on September 25.

WHICH AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO?

Generally students fly into the international airport located in the city where they will study (e.g. Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow). If there is no airport in your host city, then you should fly into Warsaw International Airport and we take you by train or bus to your city.

WILL SOMEONE PICK ME UP FROM THE AIRPORT?

Yes. Your Program Director will meet you at the airport at the time that you indicate on your arrival form.

WHERE WILL I LIVE?

Depending on the program you choose, you will either live in an apartment or a residence hall. If the program includes housing in an apartment, you will live with 1 to 3 other students. The apartments will be fully furnished and each student has his/her room. Students will share a kitchen and bathroom. There will be laundry facilities for doing your laundry. Some programs include housing in residence halls. Please see the program descriptions for exact information on housing.

If the program includes housing in a residence hall, you will live in double rooms. Single rooms can be requested for an additional fee. There is either a shared bathroom between two rooms or single-sex bathrooms on the floor.

You will receive more detailed information about your housing before departure.

ARE MEALS INCLUDED?

Most programs do not include meals. Students will have kitchens in their apartments or residence halls for making their own meals. Eating out at student cafes is relatively inexpensive, so students tend to choose this option.

You are responsible for paying for the following: round-trip airfare to Poland, meals (if not included), spending money, pre-paid phone cards for your cell phone (we provide you with an initial amount of minutes), books and supplies, and any additional travel.

ARE EXCURSIONS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM?

Each program has a full schedule of activities to help you get the most out of your study abroad program. Most programs include excursions in or around your host city plus 1-2 overnight trips. You will be provided with a full itinerary after acceptance.

WHAT KIND OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WILL BE OFFERED?

Extra-curricular activities will be planned throughout the program. These activities are designed to help you get to know the Polish culture better. For many of the activities the Program Director will invite local Polish students. Some sample activities include: city tours, a BBQ with other students, museum tours, bowling, and many more. You’ll receive a schedule of activities during the orientation session. All activity fees are included in the program price.

WILL I GET A CELL PHONE?

Yes. All students are provided with a cell phone and a number of initial minutes. Students are responsible for recharging their phones with minutes. A cell phone is a great way to keep in touch with your friends in Poland and your family back home. In Poland you are not charged for incoming calls, so your parents can call you and it won’t cost you any minutes on your phone. Text messaging is also a popular and economical way to communicate with your friends. You will be responsible for returning your cell phone in good condition at the end of the program.

WILL I HAVE TIME TO TRAVEL ON MY OWN DURING THE PROGRAM?

Yes. There will be free weekends throughout the program to travel around Poland or to neighboring countries. We’ll give you some travel trips in your pre-departure and orientation materials.

WHAT PRE-DEPARTURE MATERIALS WILL I RECEIVE FROM STUDY ABROAD POLAND?

After being accepted to the program you’ll receive the following:

First Mailing: This includes your acceptance letter with some basic information about the program and some important documents that you need to fill out.

Second Mailing: This will include your university acceptance letter (for semester students for their student visa) plus our guidebook to Poland, which includes plenty of orientation information and advice to help you prepare for your trip.

Third Mailing: This will be mailed to you 3 to 4 weeks before departure. This includes your insurance, housing, and arrival information.

DO I NEED TO PURCHASE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE PROGRAM?

No. All programs include basic health/accident insurance from International Student Protection (ISP). You will receive more information in your acceptance packet.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN ORIENTATION?

The orientation session is a fun time to meet other students and to get acquainted with your host city. On-site orientation generally lasts 2 to 3 days and it includes a tour of the city, important information about the program, survival Polish lessons, advice on living in Poland, and much more!

Polish Cultural Studies

This unique program takes place at the Department of International Polish Studies (IPS) at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. For the semester/year, the offered curriculum, based upon highly original programs, is taught in English by distinguished experts from the most influential and leading academic centers in Poland (i.e. Krakow, Warsaw), important figures of artistic life, . . . more→